Mimicking Trump, Missouri lawmakers propose 'Victims of Communism Memorial Day

JEFFERSON CITY — Missouri lawmakers moved to create a day of remembrance for people harmed by Communist regimes throughout history last week.

Rep. Jason Chipman, R-Steelville, denounced historical villains like Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin and modern human rights abuses like the detention of Uighur Muslims in western China in support of a resolution he hopes will provide a reminder of the ideology’s enduring threat.

“The Berlin Wall fell in 1991, but communism didn’t,” he told colleagues before listing other countries governed by communist parties and various crimes they’ve committed against their people. “Countless more have suffered, and suffer still.”

The resolution, which notes a similar declaration President Donald Trump made in 2017, attracted no direct criticism in floor debate. It passed on a 102-25 vote with two Republicans and 23 Democrats voting no. If it passes the Senate, the memorial day would be Nov. 7 each year, the anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution in Russia.

Read more: https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/politics/2019/04/14/missouri-lawmakers-victims-communism-memorial-day-trump/3450782002/
(Springfield News-Leader)